In brief
Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila has become the leader of the newly announced Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, a rebel coalition that seeks to oust President Félix Tshisekedi. The coalition, formed in Goma, vows to coordinate resistance forces and will pursue its objectives by "all means, including force", according to its statement. This marks Kabila’s first concrete involvement in armed opposition following his 2025 death‑sentence in absentia for treason. The group also brings key leaders from the M23 rebellion, including Sultani Makenga, underscoring the deepening ties between former factions. The move comes amid years of conflict in the mineral‑rich eastern provinces and raises fresh concerns about stability in eastern DR Congo.
Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila has been named the leader of a new rebel coalition aimed at overthrowing the current government.
The new Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was unveiled on Monday and says it intends to coordinate "resistance forces" to end what it calls a "tyranny" in the country. It has stated it will pursue this goal "by all means, including force."
With the coalition’s formation, Kabila’s direct role in an armed movement has become clear a year after he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason. He had earlier denied ties to the M23 rebel group.
The Congolese government has yet to comment.
Primary announcements were made at a press conference held at Kabila’s residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo and a stronghold of the M23 since last year. In a video released by the group, Kabila was seen signing documents in front of other leaders.
M23 leader Sultani Makenga was appointed one of Kabila’s four deputies in the new movement. The other three deputies also come from the AFC‑M23 alliance that seized large swaths of mineral‑rich eastern DR Congo last year.
Earlier this week Kabila delivered an address in which he claimed he would outline how Congolese people should act to "rescue" their country. He accused President Félix Tshisekedi of ignoring proposals he offered last year, of undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy, and failing to improve security. The president also alleged arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers.
The government has not publicly responded to these claims. Kabila, now 55, ruled the country from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi took office after a disputed election. The two leaders had once been allies under a power‑sharing arrangement but later fell out, with Kabila going into self‑imposed exile in 2023 before returning to Goma last year.
The formation of the FRN comes at a time of uncertainty in a country that has long been plagued by violence. Over 100 militia groups operate in eastern DR Congo, their conflicts driven by ethnic tensions, political power struggles and control of lucrative natural resources. The United Nations and Western governments accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels and of influencing anti‑government armed groups. Rwanda denies this, stating its presence in eastern DR Congo serves defensive purposes against threats posed by Congolese groups.
Tshisekedi’s second term ends in 2028; he said in May that elections due that year might not occur because of the conflict, and hinted he might seek a third term if the public wanted him to. Parliament has passed a bill that could pave the way for a referendum to lift the constitution’s two‑term limit. Last month, police clashed with protesters in Kinshasa opposing proposed constitutional changes.
